Leading agricultural education organisation, LEAF Education is launching a brand-new initiative to inspire young people about farming, food production and the natural environment. 

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Farming Fortnight (3rd to 14th June 2019), developed by LEAF Education in partnership with Brockhill Park Performing Arts College in Kent, will see hundreds of primary and secondary schools across the UK shine a light on farming, what it delivers and the many and varied career opportunities available in the sector.

A wide range of engaging national curriculum linked resources and materials have been developed for schools to download. Topic sheets, lesson plans, case studies and videos will explore different farming sectors and support teachers in delivering inspiring lessons around food and farming.  Each day of the campaign has its own farming theme and accompanying social media hashtag – ranging from arable farming (#TractorTuesday), the sheep industry (#WoollyWednesday) through to fruit and vegetable production (#TastyTuesday) to careers in farming (#FutureFarming).  Schools and students will be encouraged to share their learning experiences on social media.

LEAF Education Director of Education and Public Engagement, Carl Edwards explained:

“We want to enable every child to leave school with experience, knowledge and understanding of food, farming and the natural environment. Farming Fortnight has been developed following our extensive research programme involving 1,200 12 to 18-year olds which we carried out last year.  Over 35% of the young people involved said they would like to find out more about where their food comes from and 32% expressed an interest in a career in the agriculture sector.

“Farming Fortnight will provide a real focus for schools to engage young people with the important issues around farming and food production. If we are to see improvements in children's health, wellbeing and preparedness for adult life, and long-term solutions to global challenges of sustainability and food security, then education has to be at the centre.  I am very proud to be launching Farming Fortnight and would encourage all schools to get involved and to make use of all the fantastic resource that we have to offer.”

Donna Ashlee, Assistant Principal at Brockhill Park Performing Arts College added:

“At Brockhill we are passionate about teaching students where food comes from and enhancing outdoor learning experiences.  We are really proud of all the great resources our students have developed to support Farming Fortnight.  Their ideas, enthusiasm and practical farming experiences on the school farm really shines through in all the learning materials and it has been wonderful to see them really get behind the project.   Having a dedicated two-week long focus on farming has real potential to inspire young minds, create opportunities and bring about real change to how future generations think about and engage in farming.”

Farming Fortnight runs from the 3rd to 14th June 2019.  It is free for schools to get involved and all campaign resources are available from  www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk/farmingfortnight